PRESS RELEASE

Rules of the Snow

Available from SavaFilm

A Fifty Minute Snowmobile Video

November 1997, Jackson
Hole, Wyoming. SavaFilm, a video and film production company, announces
the availability of Rules of the Snow, a 50 minute film on snowmobile
safety. Rules of the Snow is a new approach to the safety-film genre.
An innovative combination of safety content and documentary-style presentation,
the film invites the viewer to think, participate, identify with the experts
and with the experiences of others. Remote winter vistas, humor, expert
riding, mountain wildlife, and personal stories engage the interest of even
non-snowmobiling audiences.

SavaFilm, a group of
filmmakers living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, produced the film in response
to the dramatic increase in snowmobiling accidents across the United States
and Canada. The film was produced by Sava
Malachowski, written and directed by Valerie Schramm, and photographed by Sava
Malachowski and Tom Christian. Rules of the Snow is narrated by Bill Townsend, a well-known, professional,
snowmobile guide living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Mr. Townsend also appears
throughout the video and provides poignant and insightful advice on snowmobiling.

The film begins by
examining the technological changes in snowmobiles. The once clunky, slow,
and undependable snowmobiles today are capable of climbing steep mountain
faces and traveling great distances at high speeds. Modern snowmobiles are
much more dependable and tremendous fun, but they are also capable of putting
unprepared riders in harsh winter environments far from help. Rules of the
Snow addresses both the fun of snowmobiling and the potential hazards. Over
thirty experts, all snowmobile enthusiasts,
appear on-camera. They share their knowledge and experience gained through
years of riding and discuss topicsof major concern such as: the rules of the road, avalanches,
wilderness areas, winter survival, ice riding, helicopter rescue, and finally-alcohol.
The premise of the film is that knowledge, experience, and common sense
can prevent the great majority of accidents.

Most of the film was
shot, over the past two winters, on location in the Greater Yellowstone
area. Wyoming locations include: Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks,
the Wind River Range, Wyoming Range, Togwotee Pass, Union Pass and Greys
River. Other locations include: South Dakota, Ontario, Colorado, and Idaho.

Rules
of the Snow was produced in close cooperation with the Bridger-Teton
National Forest, Wyoming Game and Fish, and three mountain search and rescue
teams.